Miniature Tigers Interview: SXSW 2010

Flowing, perky pop melodies peppered with 1960s finesse made Miniature Tigers an Internet success story, pegged by Rolling Stone in 2006 as one of the "25 Best Bands on MySpace." Since then, they've toured with Ben Folds, released an LP, 'Tell it to the Volcano,' and are hard at work on the follow-up, due this summer.

Frontman Charlie Brand, an Arizona ex-pat, spoke to Spinner from his California home while cooking up some eggs and veggie sausage. Alas, mid-interview, a mysterious fire erupted in his kitchen!

Fear not, the perky-sounding 25-year-old was unfazed by the mishap. The show, and breakfast, must go on.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Hmmm... I have a hard time with this question... kind of influenced by '60s pop and more bizarre production.

How did your band form?

I met Rick [Schaier], our drummer, through the internet, and we sort of became pen pals and discovered each other's music. I was in Arizona and he was in California, so I went out there to get a band going.

What are your musical influences?

The Kinks, David Bowie, the Beatles, the Beach Boys. As for more contemporary stuff, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors... things like that.

How did you come up with your band name?

There's not really an interesting story behind it. I was probably just high and it popped into my head.

What's your biggest vice?

The TV show 'Lost.' I'm really into all the nerdy theories to an embarrassing degree. Or smoking pot, something like that.

What's in your festival survival kit?

A big water device, like those camel packs with a straw that comes out of it.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Jessica Rabbit from 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit.' I was obsessed, I thought she was the hottest babe around!

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Michael Bublé. The guy's not so bad, he's got a really soothing voice.